Menu

Washington

Speak UP! Tell Congress to protect wild horses in the 2024 spending budget

, , , , , , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

We know that when American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC) supporters band together and raise their voices, change happens: After all of our hard work last year during the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Appropriations process, Congress passed legislation once again that included important language to divert $11 million in Bureau of Land Management (BLM) funding away from helicopter roundups and instead towards humane management tactics like fertility control vaccines.

But now, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Appropriations process has officially begun and U.S. members of Congress in both the House and Senate are submitting their priorities for the year ahead. We urgently need your help to ensure they include funding requests for humane, in-the-wild management strategies on behalf of our beloved wild horses and burros. Call on your members of Congress now and request wild horse protections in the FY24 spending bill!

Photo by Tandin Chapman

TAKE ACTION NOW →

With the removal of more than 20,000 wild horses and burros from the wild last year, these innocent animals need your voice more than ever! But we can’t do this alone: We need as many people as possible to echo our message and urge Congress to enact a pro-horse and burro agenda for 2024. Will you be a voice for our country’s wild horses and burros, and call on your members of Congress to support wild horse protections in the FY24 spending bill?

CONTACT MY REPRESENTATIVE →

From defunding the Adoption Incentive Program’s cash incentive to implementing humane in-the-wild fertility control vaccines, there are several ways Congress can enact reforms to the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program in FY24  — and save taxpayer money while doing it. But to enact these policies that protect our cherished wild herds, we need you to speak up. Call on your members of Congress now and request wild horse protections in the FY24 spending bill!

TAKE ACTION NOW →

Giving Tuesday Update: emergency matching fund

, , , , , , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

— Thanks to a huge outpouring of support, we’ve hit our $25,000 Giving Tuesdaygoal. Now, a major donor has agreed to provide an EMERGENCY match of $10,000 more — if we can reach that goal before midnight.

Can you pitch in right now to help us raise $10,000 and unlock this emergency matching gift to fuel our work for wild horses and burros across the country?

Thanks,

Suzanne

 

Today is Giving Tuesday, and right now our team is on the ground in Utah to document an abusive government roundup. Starting tomorrow, helicopters will hunt down and trap wild horses, robbing them of the two things they value most: family and freedom. Worse, the lives of every one of these proud mustangs is in danger, thanks to a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plan to kill and sell for slaughter tens of thousands of wild horses and burros in holding facilities and on the range.

A generous AWHC donor has agreed to match all contributions up to our Giving Tuesday goal of $25,000. That means you can double your money by making a contribution by midnight tonight!

At AWHC, we’re working nonstop to keep wild horses and burros free and safe and to defeat attempts by the BLM to slaughter them.

Last week, we achieved a major victory in that battle when the Senate rejected BLM’s lethal plans. But earlier this year, the House passed a spending bill that would allow BLM to kill tens of thousands of healthy wild horses and burros. That means the fight goes on as Congress negotiates to reconcile the two versions of the bill.

We need your help to carry this battle over the finish line. Make your first gift of the year go twice as far and help us unlock this $25,000 matching gift. Give a tax-deductible gift of just $10 or more before midnight and DOUBLE your impact.

In honor of Trey, the tiny pinto foal who was roped, hogtied, captured and separated from his mother at last year’s BLM roundup in the Cedar Mountains … and in honor of all the foals being captured right now in Utah, never again to feel the security of family or the freedom of the open range… please make your Giving Tuesday gift today.

Together, we can build a better future for our magnificent wild horses and burros. Thank you.

In Freedom,

Suzanne Roy, Executive Director

Photo by Caroline Christie

GOP Leaders, Administration Unveil Tax Reform Plan, New IRS “Winnings” Rule

, , , , , 0

 

 

The following is from the American Horse Council:

GOP Leaders, Administration Unveil Tax Reform Plan, New IRS “Winnings” Rule

Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) will officially unveil the GOP template today at 2:15 PM EST.  To view today’s event via livestream, please go to the following link:  speaker.gov/live. 

On September 27, 2017, GOP leaders released a “template” laying out key elements to characterize comprehensive tax reform legislation.  The nine-page document identifies significant tax breaks for individuals and corporations, and includes a special focus on tax relief for small business.   Below are highlights that will have the most significant impact on the equine sector, among other corporate and individual taxpayers:

Business Reform

  • Small Business :  The framework establishes a maximum tax rate of 25 percent on small businesses operating as “sole proprietorships, partnerships and S corporations.”  With an increasing number AHC members filing as sole proprietorships and partnerships, this can potentially provide significant tax relief. Under current law, small businesses (pass-through entities) can pay federal taxes at rates as high as 39.6 percent.
  • Corporate Tax Rate :  The plan proposes to lower the corporate rate to 20 percent, down from the current 35 percent corporate tax rate.
  • Expensing:  The GOP framework “allows businesses to immediately write off the cost of … depreciable assets” for five years or more.
  • Business Interest :  The plan imposes “partial limits” for deduction of business interest on C corporations.  The tax writing committees will review interest deductions for non-corporate taxpayers during the legislative process.

[toggle_framed title=”Continue Reading” variation=”blue”]

Individual Reform

  • Estate Tax :  The GOP proposes to eliminate the estate tax and the “generation skipping transfer tax.”  This is positive news for family-owned operations.
  • Streamlined Tax Brackets:  The plan consolidates the number of individual brackets from seven to three.  Under the proposal, the IRS will create three tax brackets at rates of 12 percent, 25 percent and 35 percent.
  • Standard Deduction:  The plan will double the standard deduction to $24,000 for married couples filing a joint return, and $12,000 for single taxpayers.
  • Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) – The GOP proposes to eliminate the unpopular AMT, which doubles the amount of time taxpayers must endure to calculate their tax liability within any given year.
  • Itemized Deductions :  While GOP leaders state that many of the deductions that “riddle the tax code” will go on the chopping block, the plan keeps deductions for mortgage interest and charitable contributions.

Next Steps

AHC is conducting meetings with congressional tax writers in conjunction with major agriculture stakeholders, including the American Farm Bureau Federation and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, among others.  So far, the coalition has focused on repeal of the estate tax and the need to expense capital investment as pillars of the tax reform process moving forward, two messages which are clearly laid out in the GOP template.   To view a copy of the GOP framework, please click HERE. 

To learn more details about the tax plan, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) will officially unveil the GOP template today at 2:15 PM EST.  To view today’s event via livestream, please go to the following link: speaker.gov/live.

IRS Releases New “Winnings” Rule

Also on September 27, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published final rules in the Federal Register (FR) to reform federal withholding and reporting requirements for pari-mutuel winnings.  The new rule arises from a notice of proposed rulemaking issued in late 2016, on which the equine industry submitted comments, laying the groundwork for the new regulatory flexibility.  The tax rules will effectively exempt large numbers of winnings from the federal definition for “amount of wager.”  The new threshold effectively exempts a large number of bets from triggering the imposition of a 20 percent withholding on winnings, thereby reflecting a consumer trend toward “exotic wagering pools” in modern betting.  To view a copy of the final rule, which will be effective 45 days following today’s publication in the FR, please see the following link:  https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-09-27/pdf/2017-20720.pdf.

[/toggle_framed]

This summer we stop slaughter

, , , , , , , , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Friend –

With Congress going home for its August recess and the legislative future on horse slaughter still unclear, we asked you what our movement should do this month: sit tight OR keep up the pressure. Your response was clear: give them hell. Make it clear the American people will not stand for the destruction or slaughter of America’s wild horses.

So today we’re launching our #NoRecessForHorses Summer of Action. In the next three weeks, we’ll be visiting congressional offices, holding local events, activating supporters, putting up billboards, and, in short, making ourselves very, very loud.

To kick things off:

Click here and sign our national petition to Members of Congress: we oppose the destruction and slaughter of America’s healthy wild horse population.

We need every signature we can get. We’ll be hand-delivering the petition to key congressional offices, inviting the press and our local supporters to join.

Our opponents would love nothing more than if this issue stays quiet. They’ve seen the polling — they know 80% of Americans oppose horse slaughter. They want to confuse the issue, rename the word “slaughter” to something else, and hope we sit on the sidelines as they try to pass this terrible, cruel policy.

We won’t let them. Make sure you sign the petition now, then forward it to five friends! Thank you for standing for standing with us.

For the horses,

Suzanne Roy

P.S. After signing, forward this email to five friends and click here to share on Facebook.

Townhall Time

, , , , , , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Friend –

Where does your member of Congress stand on protecting wild horses? If you don’t know, now’s the time to find out. And if they’re supporting slaughter, now is the time to change their mind. Votes are expected in September that may decide the fate of American wild horses.

Take action right now while your member of Congress is home for August recess:

1) Find out if your member is holding a town hall: https://townhallproject.com/

If they are, please attend and ask them if they will stop any attempts towards the slaughter, euthanasia, or destruction of healthy wild horses. If they answer, make sure to let us know their answer: contact@americanwildhorsecampaign.org.

2) No town hall? Call your member’s district (not Washington D.C.) officeand ask them if you can schedule a meeting with your congressperson or legislative aide. You can find the number for your congressperson here. And you can look up talking points here. Be sure to email us if you schedule a meeting!

3) In addition to meeting in-person, make sure to keep calling and emailing. You can use our tool here to get in touch now.

Keep up the pressure! #NoHorseSlaughter #NoRecessForHorses!

– Grace Kuhn

P.S. There are just 4 days left to get your limited edition #ImWithTheBand apparel! New items have just been added!

Tell Lawmakers to Reduce Red Tape for Guest Workers, Small Business

, , , , , 0

 

 

The following is from the American Horse Council:

As members of Congress return to their home states to visit constituents through Labor Day, the American Horse Council urges members to advocate for legislative solutions to the federal government’s beleaguered temporary worker visa program.  To fix the regulatory chaos that plagues the H-2B application process, tell your elected officials – whether during a town hall meeting or visit to the local farmers’ market – to support the important measures below.  In the event you don’t see your elected officials this summer, you can contact their D.C. offices at 202-225-3121, where staff members will note your concerns and brief your representatives when they return in the fall.

Fiscal Year 2018 Appropriations

For immediate relief, tell lawmakers to support H-2B cap and regulatory flexibility through the Fiscal Year 2018 appropriations process.  Congress is considering language in the current spending bill that will force agencies to manage the visa program in an efficient manner for at least one year.  With the current fiscal year ending September 30, Congress must address funding immediately after Labor Day.  For long-term fixes to the broken system, see the measures below:

Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2017 (S. 792)

  • This bipartisan bill would establish clear guidelines for employers hiring H-2B workers, assuring that U.S. citizens are not displaced in the job market;
  • Provide cap relief by establishing a common sense exemption for well-vetted workers who have already held a visa during the previous three years;
  • And require increased coordination between the Departments of Labor (DHS) and Homeland Security (DHS) to reduce red tape and delays.

Strengthen Employment and Seasonal Opportunities Now Act of 2017 (SEASON) (H.R. 2004)

  • Similar to the Senate bill, this legislation would expand exemptions for workers who have previously been vetted by immigration officials, thereby increasing cap relief.
  • Establish expedited processing of applications to meet labor demands during peak seasons.
  • And exempt temporary visa holders from tax credits otherwise available to full-time U.S. residents, thereby reducing costs to taxpayers.

In mid-January, the government hit the 33,000 visa cap for the first half of the year.  In March, the agency met its 33,000 visa allocation for the second half of 2017, leaving many small businesses who rely on seasonal labor without workers for the summer months.  Although DHS issued an additional 15,000 visas on July 17, the agency issued those visas on an ad hoc, discretionary basis, undermining common sense business planning.  The July decision will also create limited benefits for small businesses relying on summertime help.

For more information on immigration and related legislation and federal actions, please contact Bryan Brendle, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs, at 202-296-4031 or bbrendle@horsecouncil.org.

Congress Continues to Promote Land Access

, , , , , , , , , , 0

 

 

The following is from the American Horse Council:

On July 26, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT) introduced the “Recreation Not Red-Tape Act (RNR)” (S. 1633, H.R. 3400), legislation that expands the scope of the National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act (PL 114-245), signed into law in late 2016.  While the RNR focuses on streamlined permitting to access public lands, the bill includes provisions that would authorize the Department of the Interior, through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), to enter into cooperative agreements with private parties to promote the role of volunteers in trail maintenance.  The bill also authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and BLM to develop an interagency trail management plan that will assure uniform maintenance standards for trails crossing jurisdictional lines between the two agencies.

The Trails Act outlines a detailed program including goals and timetables by which the USDA will leverage private partners to clear trails long overdue for maintenance.  Unlike the RNR Act, which applies to both the BLM and USDA’s National Forest System (NFS), the Trails Act focuses only on trails under the jurisdiction of the NFS.

Chairman Bishop and Sen. Wyden worked closely on the bill to emphasize key issues – especially outdoor recreation permit streamlining – that will likely attract bipartisan support.  GOP staff with the House Natural Resources Committee, which is the committee of jurisdiction for federal land issues, are encouraging AHC and allies to help drive cosponsors for the legislation, which currently has none.  Committee staff also state that the Subcommittee on Federal Lands will conduct a markup in late September or October, giving members the opportunity to offer technical corrections and amendments to the text.

To review a summary of the legislation, please see the following link: https://www.wyden.senate.gov/download/?id=DDF411A6-5D21-40BD-B17C-2BF73A2B9C51&download=1. If you would like more information about the RNR Act and related lobbying activity, please contact Bryan Brendle at bbrendle@horsecouncil.orgor 202-296-4031.

Passage of Equine Therapy Amendment Includes Increased Support for America’s Veterans

, , , , , , , , , 0

 

 

The following is from the American Horse Council:

Prior to adjourning for the August recess, the U.S. House of Representatives approved an amendment to the “Make America Secure Appropriations Act” (H.R. 3219) offered by Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY), a bill that will increase equine therapy funding for veterans by $5 million during FY2018.  In a statement released Friday, July 28, Congressman Barr expressed his pleasure over passage of the defense spending legislation.  He stated that he is “particularly pleased that the final bill … expands the availability of evidence-based equine treatment for veterans who have suffered trauma while serving our country.”

Before the equine therapy provision becomes law, House and Senate lawmakers must convene a “conference” to negotiate final legislation for a vote in both chambers, and present the bill to the President for his signature.  Because the House will not return to Washington until September 5, Congress will not be able to negotiate a final bill until the fall. Although the Senate currently plans to remain in session through August 11, their agenda remains uncertain.  Following failure of healthcare legislation last week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has identified Federal Drug Administration (FDA) funding, Department of Defense (DOD) authorization legislation, and federal appointments as priorities for the next two weeks.  Congress must pass final spending bills, or a continuing resolution, prior to the end of the current fiscal year on September 30.

To view a copy of Rep. Barr’s statement related to the equine therapy amendment, please see the following link: https://barr.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barr-votes-to-enhance-national-security. If you would like more information about this bill or related issues in Congress, please contact Bryan Brendle at bbrendle@horsecouncil.orgor 202-296-4031.

Senate Appropriations Committee Vote on Horse Slaughter Defunding

, , , , , , 0

 

 

The following is from the American Horse Council:

The Senate Committee on Appropriations voted July 20 in favor of an amendment offered by Sens. Tom Udall (D-NM) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), to defund the USDA’s inspection of horse slaughter, a renewal of what was effectively a ban on the practice.

Today’s vote for the Udall-Graham Amendment means the Fiscal Year 2018 Appropriations Bill may move forward with language limiting USDA action in the inspection of animals, facilities or products associated with horse slaughter.  On July 12, however, the House Appropriations Committee voted against a similar amendment that would defund USDA inspection of horse slaughter, setting the stage for possible negotiations on the final spending bill.

Horse slaughter plants in the United States were closed in 2007 when funding for USDA inspection was halted through the appropriations approval process. Horse slaughter inspections will remain unfunded through  September 30, 2017, when the current fiscal year will end. Further information will be available when approval for the FY18 Appropriations are finalized.

The American Horse Council has not taken a position on horse slaughter as the equine industry remains divided on this issue. Please contact the American Horse Council for further information.

Topic and Speakers Announced for Third Quarter Webinar

, , , , , , , , , , 0

 

 

The following is from the American Horse Council:

The AHC is pleased to announce the topics and speakers for its 3rd Quarter webinar, which will take place Monday, August 21st at 3:00 pm ET.

“Cantering Towards a Worker Shortage?” will be the focus of the webinar, and will feature speakers on both H2A and H2B visas, as well as insight from a trainer deeply involved in the thoroughbred racing industry and why the H2B visa are so important to him and his operation.

Horse industry employers have for many years found it difficult to recruit American workers to fill jobs. For this reason, American immigration policy has been a major concern of the horse industry and the AHC has worked to ensure the H-2B non-agricultural and H-2A agricultural temporary foreign worker programs are a viable option for the industry. The AHC felt it was important to provide more insight as to why the industry relies on these visas.

Eclipse Award winning trainer Dale Romans of Romans Racing will lead off the webinar and provide insight as to why the H2B program is so important to the well-being of his business, the thoroughbred racing industry and the equine industry as whole. A licensed trainer since age 18, Mr. Romans began working in his father’s stable (renowned trainer Jerry Romans) from the time he could walk. Dale is an active advocate for the sport serving/having served in volunteer leadership positions of various industry organizations, including the Kentucky HBPA; Churchill Backside Health & Welfare Fund; Churchill Downs Racing Committee; and the Gulfstream Park Racing Committee.

Glen M. Krebs of Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP of Lexington, KY, will focus on the industry’s use of H2A Visas. Mr. Krebs is a member of the firm’s Labor & Employment Service Team, and concentrates his practice in International and Immigration law. Mr. Krebs has spoken extensively on the subject of Immigration Law and was contributing author to “Legal Aspects of Horse Farm Operations” (4th ed. 2014), University of Kentucky College of Law, Office of Continuing Legal Education.

Lisa L. Galliath of LLG Attorney at Law will speak on the industry’s use of the H2B Visa. Ms. Galliath assists individuals, professionals, and businesses with U.S. immigration issues and question, as well as specializing in representing equestrian professionals in all disciplines. She has extensive experience and knowledge of the equine industry, and her firm provides legal services to many clients based in equestrian centers in Florida and California.

The webinar is open to both AHC members and non-members—we encourage everyone to attend! To register for the webinar, please click here. If you have any questions, please contact Ashley Furst at afurst@horsecouncil.org. We look forward to having you join us for our third quarter webinar!

 

BREAKING: House Committee votes to slaughter of America’s wild horses

, , , , , , , , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Our team just got bad news out of the U.S. House Appropriations markup: the committee just voted to add a pro-slaughter amendment, acceding to the barbaric request of the Interior Department to kill these majestic animals.

The members of this committee rejected the will of 80% of Americans who do not want slaughter; they rejected the science that shows these animals can be managed with humane birth control; and they rejected every major animal welfare organization who condemned the cruelty of this slaughter policy.

They should be ashamed. But this fight is not over!

We can still stop this horse slaughter provision before a vote by the full House of Representatives or in the U.S. Senate. We need your help.

Can you donate $25, $50 or $100 to help as expand the #NoHorseSlaughter campaign and our list of targets?

The amendment, which passed on a voice vote, allows for the wholesale destruction of healthy wild horses and burros that the BLM deems “unadoptable” or “overpopulated.” The committee knew just how unpopular their stance was — that’s why they replaced “slaughter” with “destruction.” But it’s same barbaric policy with different words.

We’re not fooled. And we’re not backing down. Please donate now and help us keep up the fight.

Thank you,

Suzanne Roy

Extra H-2B Visas Made Available

, , , , , , , , , , 0

 

 

The following is from the American Horse Council:

U.S. businesses will be able to hire up to 15,000 additional temporary nonagricultural workers under the H-2B program following a final rule that the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor submitted to the Federal Register this week. To qualify for the additional visas, petitioners must attest, under penalty of perjury, that their business is likely to suffer irreparable harm if it cannot employ H-2B nonimmigrant workers during fiscal year (FY) 2017. It was determined there are not enough qualified and willing U.S. workers are available to perform temporary nonagricultural labor to satisfy the needs of some American businesses in FY 2017.

Congress gave Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly the discretionary authority to address the lack of available temporary workers and provide this one-time increase to the congressionally set annual cap. H-2B visas are used for temporary, non-agriculture workers at a variety of businesses, including racetrack grooms and handlers. The government offers 66,000 such visas a year, with the 2017 cap having been met within the first 30 days of open enrollment. This left many organizations without access to the critical labor pool provided by the H-2B program.

Starting this week, eligible petitioners for H-2B visas can fileForm I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker and must submit a supplemental attestation on Form ETA 9142-B-CAA with their petition. A new tip line to report general H-2B abuse and employer violations has also been established.

Details on eligibility and filing requirements are available in the final rule and on theOne-Time Increase in H-2B Nonimmigrant Visas for FY 2017. This page also includes information on how individuals can report abuse in the program.

For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Your Rep. may decide the fate of wild horses

, , , , , , , , , , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Over the past few days, we’ve launched an unprecedented campaign to try to save America’s wild horses, including a TV ad buy in four key markets and the release of new polling showing 80% of Americans favor continuing anti-slaughter protections for wild horses.

Why the urgent push? Tomorrow, the full House Appropriations Committee is expected to vote on the new Interior Department budget — and we are told our opponents will attempt to add language to authorize the mass slaughter of America’s wild horses.

The fate of America’s wild horses may come down to your Congressperson. Will you contact he/she right now?

1) Call Your Rep at 202-225-3121 and say: side with 80% of Americans — #NoHorseSlaughter, no way!

2) Click the icons below and Tweet and/or Facebook to your Representative.

We’ll keep you updated as the votes unfold. This is one of the most critical weeks we have ever had in the fight to protect wild horses and prevent what could be one of the largest mass slaughter’s of wild animals in our history.

Thank you for being with us,

Suzanne Roy

American Wild Horse Campaign

P.S. Please also consider an emergency donation to help us continue our Virginia TV ad buy.

What percentage of Americans want slaughter?

, , , , , , , , , , 1

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

We just completed a national poll about wild horses, asking Americans whether they want continuing protection of wild horses or slaughter. The result:

  • 80% of Americans “prefer continuing protection of America’s wild horses from slaughter”
  • 15% of Americans “think we should end protections and allow slaughter of America’s wild horses“

[toggle_framed title=”Continue Reading” variation=”blue”]

You can’t argue with those numbers. By a massive margin, cutting across regional and partisan lines, Americans want the protection of wild horses and they do not want to end the ban on slaughter of America’s wild horses. Can you share this graphic now on Facebook and help us get these numbers out there:

The rest of the poll results are just as clear:

  • 76% of Americans support the use of birth control to manage the wild horse population
  • 65% of Americans would be less likely to vote for their congressperson if they support the slaughter provision

Congress should take note. We just validated that Americans everywhere agree with our loud and clear cry: #NoHorseSlaugther No Way.

Please share our graphic now. And keep up the calls and emails. Votes are expected next Tuesday.

Thank you for being with us,

Grace Kuhn

American Wild Horse Campaign

P.S. We’re working overtime to get these poll results and our message out there. A donation right now would help us intensify and expand our efforts.

[/toggle_framed]

Our new TV ad

, , , , , , , , , , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

We need to get on the air. In the last 48 hours, thousands of you shared our web video helping to get our message out. We’re starting to be heard — we must prevent the slaughter of nearly 100,000 wild horses and burros.

But with a big vote in Congress expected next week — we need to accelerate our efforts. We just finished cutting our new TV ad. Will you watch it and donate immediately to help us get it on-air in Washington D.C. and target cities across the country?

The Bureau of Land Management does not have the power to overturn the ban on horse slaughter. Only Congress can do that. So we’re making it crystal clear: with their votes, Congress will be deciding to:

support science and protect these iconic animals

OR

side with the special interests and slaughter nearly 100,000 wild horses and burros

It’s the truth. And the choice Congress has to make. The initial text of the Interior Appropriations bill maintains the ban on slaughter, but we are told an amendment will be voted on next week to add BLM’s proposed language allowing slaughter. With your help, we’re going to make sure they understand exactly what’s at stake.

WATCH: The choice on wild horses

, , , , , , , , , , , , 0

Right now, Washington is ablaze in controversy and partisan bickering. But behind it, too many are missing a critical story: if Congress signs off on the Bureau of Land Management’s budget request, as many as 100,000 wild horses and burros will be slaughtered.

This isn’t fear-mongering. It’s what’s at stake if we overturn the ban on horse slaughter. And if we’re going to stop it, we need to get this story out there and make sure Congress and Americans at-large understand what could happen in just a matter of weeks.

Watch our latest web video and then share it on Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #NoHorseSlaughter.

We need to turn up the volume. And fast. So please watch our video now and share it.

Thank you for being with us and America’s wild horses,

-Suzanne Roy

P.S. Please also consider a donation as we intensify our campaigning in Washington and across the country.

AHC Committees Meet During Annual Meeting

, , , , , 0

 

 

The following is from the American Horse Council:

The American Horse Council (AHC) held its Annual Meeting on June 11, 2017, where all five of the AHC’s standing committees met: Animal Welfare, Health & Regulatory, Horse Show, Racing Advisory, and Recreation.

The AHC would like to thank everyone that attended the commitee meetings, and hopes that the topics and discussions held were useful and informative. We hope to see everyone there again next year!

To read the recaps of each committee meeting, please click below.

USDA Provides Horse Protection Act Progress Report

, , , , , , , , , , 0

 

 

The following is from the American Horse Council:

On June 29, 2017 Bernadette Juarez, Deputy Administrator of APHIS-Animal Care, released an open letter to the management of horse shows, exhibitions, sales, as well as Horse Industry Organizations and Associations (HIOs), and the owners, trainers, exhibitors, and custodians of horses engaged in Horse Protection Act (HPA) covered activities.

In it she provides a progress report on the efforts to strengthen the HPA inspection program, their working relationship with the industry, and HPA enforcement. She applauded the HIOs that have made refinements to their processes to achieve their new standards, including the updated inspection guidance intended to promote consistency throughout the entire industry. That inspection guidance was posted on their website, found here, along with videos that depict the inspection process.

She ended her letter by acknowledging that “A consistent and thorough inspection process coupled with management’s commitment to fulfilling its responsibilities under the HPA are essential for ensuring exhibitors have clear expectations and can confidently present horses for inspection and participate in HPA-covered events.”

On March 30, 2017, Representatives Ted Yoho (R-FL) and Kurt Schrader (D-OR) re- introduced the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2015 (HR 1847) (PAST act) in the House of Representatives.   The bill is intended to strengthen the Horse Protection Act (HPA) and prevent the soring of Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses, and Spotted Saddle Horses.  The bill is supported by the American Horse Council and most national horse show organizations. The AHC urges all members of the horse industry to contact their Representative and ask them to support the bill and become a co-sponsor.

For more information on the Horse Protection Act and the practices used to enforce it, please visit https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalwelfare/SA_HPA.

The complete letter can be read here. Please contact the American Horse Council with any further questions regarding the HPA or the PAST Act.

Stop this madness

, , , , , , , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently requested that the 2018 budget lift the ban on destroying healthy mustangs and burros. If the ban is lifted, all horses and burros in holding facilities will be killed or sold for slaughter. And most of the remaining wild horse population will be slaughtered, possibly even through aerial gunning in the wild. 

Here’s the bottom line: 92,000 healthy horses will die if this ban is lifted.

It’s time to fight back against this senseless slaughter. Thousands of you have already made your voices heard. Now, we’re launching a new campaign: #NoHorseSlaughter. But we need your help to spread the word.

Will you contribute today to help us stop the slaughter?

We’re going to take our message to every member of Congress and make sure they know what’s at stake. We can’t let the BLM undertake an unprecedented mass slaughter of our nation’s healthy wild horses and burros.

Congress is likely to decide the future of our nation’s iconic wild horse population in the next two weeks, which means these next few days will be critical. We’re going to take the fight to them — both in their districts when their on recess and back on Capitol Hill. With your help, we’re going to make sure they know that America is standing up for #NoHorseSlaughter.

Please help us stop this madness now.

AHC’s National Issues Forum Provides Different Perspectives

, , , , , , , 0

 

 

The following is from the American Horse Council:

The American Horse Council (AHC) National Issues Forum, sponsored by Luitpold Animal Health, on June 12th provided a wealth of information and ideas from different perspectives on how we can grow the industry and continue to work together. Attendees were treated to insights ranging from cutting-edge research to help our equine athletes, to how we can encourage the next generation to get involved, as well as how tradition, continuity, and innovation can work together for the benefit of the industry in moving forward.

The Morning Session kicked off with keynote speaker Roger Dow of the U.S. Travel Association who spoke about several initiatives the travel industry has undertaken the past few years to increase tourism and travel within and to the United States. For example, a Visa Waiver Program that allows residents of allied countries to be pre-screened before entry and are given visa-free travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days. Most notably though, was the creation of a Global Meetings Industry Day that showcases the impact that business meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows and exhibitions have on people, business and communities.

“Staying focused, finding things you can work on together, and speaking with one voice are critical to ensuring the success and longevity of any industry,” Mr. Dow closed with.

To read the recap of the National Issues Forum in its entirety, please click below.

Load More